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21h ago

MAGA Insiders Cool on JD Vance, Elevating Rubio and Trump Jr. as 2028 Options

Signs of a contested succession grow as many expect the president’s signal to shape the field.

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 24: Donald Trump Jr. attends the State of the Union address during a Joint Session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on February 24, 2026, in Washington, DC. Trump delivered his address days after the Supreme Court struck down the administration's tariff strategy and amid a U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf threatening Iran. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • New reports Monday describe growing private doubts inside MAGA about Vice President J.D. Vance’s suitability as the party’s 2028 standard-bearer.
  • Reports say President Trump has asked advisers to weigh Vance against Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a sign his eventual signal could settle the field.
  • A late-April Harvard/Harris survey put Vance at 48 percent in an early GOP primary lineup, underscoring a clear lead despite rising insider skepticism.
  • Insiders and activists complain Vance is hard to reach and slow to build relationships, and they fault his low public profile during the Iran War as others handled most messaging.
  • Alternatives are drawing interest, with Rubio often appearing at Trump’s side during high-profile events and Donald Trump Jr. posting measurable early support, including stronger interest from younger voters in YouGov polling.